Video of the week - Turn down for what baby Sylas style

One of the exciting parts of your kids growing up and getting a bit older is they start to experiment and develop their own interests. Recently our special little guy Sylas started making and posting his own YouTube videos on his own channel (here) . Here's his latest:

Parenting 101 v18 - Freezer light

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our seventeenth edition of Parenting 101.
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Today Sylas was looking for a snack in the fridge when he asked:

"Dad, why doesn't the freezer have a light like the fridge does?"

Well son...um...uh...anyone know the reason?

Parenting 101 v17 - The end of the road

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our seventeenth edition of Parenting 101.
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The other day we were driving in the car when Sylas asked a skill testing question:

Sylas: Dad?
Dad: Yes Sylas
Sylas: Where does the road end?

Can anyone think of a good answer?

Parenting 101 v16 - Days of our lives

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our sixteenth edition of Parenting 101.
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Today we were driving in the car when Lukas said:

Dad...how many days have there been? Including today?

Any ideas for a good response?

Parenting 101 v15 - Girls

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our fifteenth edition of Parenting 101.
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Lukas' understanding of the world is increasing by the minute. He's learning to read and discovering many wonderful things. His questions are much different than before. Some things still don't make sense to him. For example, the other day at the supper table Lukas asked:

Why do girls have long finger nails?

I couldn't think of a good answer. Any ideas?

Parenting 101 v14 - Burn in hell!

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our fourteenth edition of Parenting 101.
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Today at the supper table Lukas was telling us about his day at school.
He mentioned that some of the kids at school asked him if he was a Muslim or a Christian. Now, this happens all the time and the kids are usually nice about it. But this time when he said he was a Christian the kids gasped and said:

Oh no - you're a Christian! God only loves Muslims. You'll be put in a fiery place

Now I've never had somebody tell my child he's going to hell before. Wasn't really sure how to respond. Any advice?

Parenting 101 v13 - Birthdays and Monsters

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our thirteenth edition of Parenting 101.
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Today is a special day! Well actually tomorrow is, but today is Lukas and Sylas' birthday party!! Woohoo! As posted in the Markham Economist & Sun tomorrow is Lukas' 6th birthday and Sylas' 4th. It's fun having boys that share the same birthday cause we just have one big fun party.

Aside from the birthday excitement Sylas asked me a question today that I needed a little help with. We were walking back from the park when Sylas said:

Daddy, why don't Monsters have hearts?

I couldn't think of a real good answer. Any ideas?

Parenting 101 v11 - Milk

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our eleventh edition of Parenting 101.
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Last night we were driving our good friend Dave Osoup to the airport. In the car on the way, Lukas asked me:

Daddy, why is Milk white?

I wasn't exactly sure what to say. Any suggestions???

Parenting 101

Driving in the car today Lukas spoke up:

Mommy, why do we have to wear shoes on our feet when we're outside?

Can you think of a good answer?

Parenting 101 v9 - Ears

Tonight Lukas said to me:

Daddy, what would happen if people didn't have ears?

Parenting 101 v8 - parking lot panic

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our eighth edition of Parenting 101.
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Hayley here with todays Parenting 101! Yesterday I was at the grocery store, on my way back to the van with a full cart - Sylas in the front, Olivia in her infant car seat balanced on the back, and a weeks worth of groceries wedged in between the two. Upon reaching the van, I picked up Sylas to throw him in his seat when I noticed Olivia was gagging on someting- she has a bit of a cold so i thought maybe it was just that. Then I remembered that I hadn't unlocked the van yet so with Sylas in one hand, I'm fumbling in my bag with the other to locate the keys. Olivia was still making gagging noises so i gave up looking for the keys and turned my attention to her. She was choking on something- but what? I hadn't seen her put anything into her mouth. So I made a decision to put Sylas down (in the parking lot next to the van) and start fishing arround in Olivia's mouth. She had pulled a peice of plastic off a grocery bag and it was stuck in her throat!! At that point, Sylas took one look at me and ran in the other direction across the parking lot!! The decision I was faced with was: A) help 7 month old daughter who is choking on a plastic bag or B) chace 2 1/2 year old son who is running into parking lot traffic.

What would you do?

Parenting 101 v7 - Anatomy

Last night in the bath I was putting soap on Lukas' back when he asked me:

Daddy, why do we need a back?

Any good answers out there?

Parenting 101 v6 - Love & Marriage

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our sixth edition of Parenting 101.
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Today we were in the car when Lukas turned to Grammy MacLeod and said:

"Grammy, when I get older can we be married?"

Anyone have an answer for that one ???

Parenting 101 v5 - God's diet

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our fifth edition of Parenting 101.
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We'll catch up with the hot topics next Monday, but I thought today I'd put out another thought provoking question Lukas asked me:

Daddy, what does God eat up there in Heaven??

Anyone have an answer for this complicated question?

Parenting 101 v4 - God

When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers....Here is our fourth edition of Parenting 101.
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Walking to daycare today Lukas turned to me and said:

Daddy, what does God look like???

Quite the question, anyone know how to explain this to a 4 year old??

Parenting 101 v3 - the upchuck

Does anyone remember those "garbage pail kids" cards from the 80's? They were a play on the "cabbage patch kid" phenomenon and had pictures of kids with disgusting names. One of them was called "Up-Chuck", as in Charles. Anyway, that's the mental picture I got as I woke at 3:50AM to hear my daughter completely emptying her stomach all over my wife, bed, pillow, blankets, etc.etc. What is a parent to do when a newborn so completely soils everything when they barf? It ensures that sleep time has ended for the night, as everything needs to be mopped up before going back to sleep. After changing sheets, I'm now completely awake at 4AM! Does anyone have any good newborn barfing stories or advice on how to deal with this night-altering event?

Parenting 101 V2 - Eyeballs

As promised earlier, "when I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers"....Here is our second edition of Parenting 101.

Recently Lukas has been noticing the difference between wood and metal. He will approach a door, or table and knock on it with his toy hammer. "Daddy is this wood, or metal" he will ask me, and I will usually explain the difference in sound between the two to help him distinguish which material he's found. Tonight was different. He started knocking on plastic, ceramic tile and finally his bed mattress, all the while asking "Daddy is this wood or metal". It gave me an opportunity to explain what many things are made of.

After tucking him in and leaving the room, I heard a familiar plea from his room..."Daaadddyyyyy". I opened the door to find him with his fingers pushing at his eyes, when he asked "Daddy, are eyeballs wood or metal?"
What response would you have given?

Parenting 101 - Grinches

Over this past year I've developed a few regular features here on the athensBLOG. The saysings of Lukas (& Sylas), God provides and Random ministry pics are some of the favorites, along with numerous contests throughout the year. Parenting 101 will be a new feature here on the athensBLOG. When I am confronted with a difficult parenting situation, I'll put the issue out there to plumb the depths of the vast parenting knowledge of my beloved readers! Come on you've all wanted to say something to that mother in the grocery store with the screaming child...now's your chance to be a back-! Tell the world how you would instruct the youngsters! Here's the first segment:

Parenting 101: Grinches:

Hayley's family is here and tonight we were watching How the Grinch stole Christmas, when Lukas asked me:

"Daddy, why did God make grinches"?

What response would you have given?